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MedCruise and CLIA Europe sealed travel agent training partnership

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 May 2015 27 May 2015

At the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum, currently taking place in Athens, MedCruise and CLIA Europe signed a strategic partnership agreement on travel agent training. Alan Lam reports.

The agreement - signed by Carla Salvadó, President of MedCruise, and Pierfrancesco Vago, Chairman of CLIA’s Europe – aims to collaborate, sponsor and support the advancement of a European travel agent training programme, according the MedCruise press office.

CLIA Europe is engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote cruise holidays. This agreement will allow the expansion of ETALP - CLIA’s successful travel agent training programme - to France, where thousands of travel agents will have access to CLIA’s online training resources.

“This strategic agreement marks an important milestone in MedCruise relationship with CLIA Europe,” said Carla Salvadό, commenting on the agreement. “I am delighted that our associations will collaborate in training travel agents and giving them the right tools to attract even more people to cruising in the Med and beyond. The partnership shows that in the port community as well as in the cruise industry we never lose sight of the fact that our success is directly tied to the travel agent community."

“The travel agent community play and will continue to play an essential role in the cruise industry’s supply chain,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, “bringing our fantastic product closer to the end customer. We see agents as a vital link between travellers and cruise lines. They are our leading advocates when it comes to communicating the thrill of a cruise vacation. This agreement will see the expansion of CLIA’s travel agent training programme to one key European market, but it will not be the last one. I am glad that, in taking this step, CLIA Europe and MedCruise will continue to engage with and invest in a sector of fundamental importance to our industry.”

Further detail will be revealed and discussed in the forthcoming 46th MedCruise General Assembly, to be held in Zadar, Croatia, from 3 June to 5 June. Cruise Business Review correspondents will be attending.

Cunard's Queens gather in Liverpool

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 May 2015 25 May 2015

For the first time, Cunard’s fleet gathered together in spectacular fashion in Liverpool, its spiritual home, as the company marked its 175th anniversary. The event culminated with the three ships - flagship Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria - the largest passenger ships ever to muster together on the River Mersey, lined up across the river just 426 feet apart as the Red Arrows performed a fly-past overhead to the delight of the hundreds of thousands of spectators.

Queen Mary 2 sailed from the Liverpool berth up to the mouth of the Mersey this morning at 10:45 a.m. to meet her sisters, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria. The three ships then sailed in close single file down the river to Liverpool's Pier Head with its iconic Three Graces: The Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building and The Port of Liverpool Building.

Queen Mary 2 slowed in the river opposite the Cunard Building – Cunard’s headquarters for nearly 50 years until 1967 – with her sister ships stopping ahead of her to create a three ship line-up watched by spectators on both sides of the river.

Just 1,312 feet apart, the three ships then performed a graceful 180 degree synchronised turn to starboard. At the mid-point of the turn, all three ships lay across the river, creating the spectacle of the fleet’s three bows dramatically set against the backdrop of Liverpool’s famous Three Graces. Queen Mary 2 then sounded ‘175’ on her ship’s whistle (foghorn) – first one, then seven short blasts, then five more.

With the full turn completed and the 150,000 ton Queen Mary 2 now in the leading position, her two 90,000 ton sister ships then glided slowly towards either side of her to create an arrowhead formation, with the flagship just ahead of her two consort ships.

Finally, the entire fleet lined up three abreast across the river just 426 feet apart, as a salute to the Cunard Building and the City of Liverpool.

With the Three Queens in this tight formation, the Red Arrows flew in formation low over the Three Queens as they lined up on the river, a coup de grace which created a once-in-a-lifetime moment that thrilled hundreds of thousands of spectators.

Commodore of the Cunard fleet Christopher Rynd said, “It’s been a privilege to bring the Cunard fleet together on the Mersey for the first time ever to mark Cunard’s 175th anniversary year and our historic and ongoing partnership with Liverpool, our spiritual home.”

“All of us at Cunard are moved by the incredible reception the Three Queens have received from the people of Liverpool and beyond today,” remarked Richard Meadows, Cunard, President, North America. “This moment has brought the relationship between Cunard and the Mersey alive, and that together, Liverpool and Cunard have paid tribute to the people who have created our 175 years of shared history.”

Star Clippers reported to add fourth ship in 2017

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 May 2015 22 May 2015

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is to add a fourth ship to its fleet, which last welcomed Royal Clipper as a newbuild in July 2000, CruiseandFerry.net reports on its website.

“Modelled on the largest square-rigger ever built, France II, the newbuild will be a five-masted, square-rigged barque and will largely be powered by more than 6,350sqm of sails. When she launches in the second half of 2017, the 8,770 gross ton ship will replace her sister ship Royal Clipper as the largest vessel of her kind in the world,” the report said.

“We have already built the five-masted full ship Royal Clipper, which is very much influenced by the German sailing ship Preussen,” Mikael Krafft, founder and owner of Star Clippers, was quoted as saying.

“This time, we intend to build a ship inspired by France II, an ambition I have had for a long time. The ship’s rig will be identical to France II and dimensions will be very similar, although we have added various features that will make this the most magnificent passenger sailing ship afloat.”

To be built at Brodosplit shipyard in Split, Croatia, the ship will accommodate 300 passengers in 150 cabins, which include 34 suites with balconies and four owner’s cabins.

The vessel will also offer three pools, including one the funnels sunlight through the ship’s atrium into the dining room; an area for massage and beauty treatments; a library; a function room; a piano bar; a deck bar; a sports bar; and an alfresco Tropical Bar, which offers evening entertainment. Guests will dine in a restaurant in the atrium.

Following her 2017 delivery, the newbuild will initially sail the company’s most popular itineraries in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Sales are expected to open in 2016.

Star Clippers currently operates three of the world’s largest and tallest sailing vessels – the 170-passenger Star Flyer and Star Clipper, and the 227-passenger Royal Clipper, the report said.

SuperStar Virgo to make 48 night Southern Hemisphere cruise

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 May 2015 22 May 2015

Star Cruises, the leading cruise line in the Asia Pacific, has unveiled a 48 night Southern Hemisphere cruise in the autumn, which is also the first long haul cruise of the company.

“From 13 November 2015 to 31 December 2015, guests can explore a variety of exotic ports of call during this once in a life time journey evoking the spirit of the classic film, “Around the World in 80 Days,” the company said in a statement.

“We are excited to announce this first-ever, long-haul itinerary across the Southern Hemisphere for Star Cruises that will allow our guests to truly experience the diversity of lands and cultures of our corner of the world,” said Ang Moo Lim, Executive Vice President, Sales, Marketing & Hotels.

“As the Asia Pacific’s leading cruise operator in the region, we take pride in knowing our clientele and the local market trends and have developed this itinerary to give our guests, who are already very familiar with shorter cruises, the option to embark on a longer destination voyage.”

Australia, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam – SuperStar Virgo brings the greatest hits of Asia and the Southern Hemisphere right to your doorstep, stopping in over 20 ports of call including Bali, Bangkok, Krakatoa, Melbourne, Ho Chi Minh City, Sydney and more during its full 48 day tour.

Star Cruises is part of the Genting Hong Kong group, which also owns Crystal Cruises.

Costa Deliziosa to sail Caribbean cruises from Port Everglades in winter 2015-16

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 May 2015 21 May 2015

Costa Cruises is bringing the best of Italy to the tropics this winter when Costa Deliziosa repositions to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for the 2015-16 season. The 92,720-ton, 2,826-guest ship will cruise an innovative 10-night itinerary that features calls throughout the eastern and western Caribbean.

Costa Deliziosa, which will depart regularly from a U.S. homeport for the first time, sails a near-circumnavigation of the Caribbean from South Florida. The ship's six 10-night departures feature calls at Nassau or Freeport, Bahamas; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel or Costa Maya, Mexico.

"Costa's Caribbean itineraries enable guests to enjoy two destinations in one cruise, with Caribbean ports of call by day and the Italian ambiance of the ship at night," said Scott Knutson, vice president of sales and marketing for Costa Cruises North America. "Costa Deliziosa's longer itineraries allow travelers to experience more of the Caribbean, unwind and have a truly relaxing vacation."

Fares for the 10-night itineraries start at $899 per person, double occupancy, with departures Dec. 28, 2015, calling at Ocho Rios on New Year's Day; and Jan. 16 and 26; and Feb. 5, 15, and 25, 2016. Fares start at $869 on a nine-night itinerary departing Jan. 7 that excludes Roatan.

For guests looking to spend the Christmas holiday onboard, a special seven-night sailing departing Dec. 21, 2015, features calls at Costa Maya, Belize, Roatan on Christmas day and Grand Cayman. Rates start at $749, per person, double occupancy.

Costa Deliziosa was built with Costa's most discerning clientele in mind. The ship's decorative interior features premium materials, including various types of marble, granite, mother-of-pearl and Murano glass finishes. There are four restaurants, including the à la carte Club Deliziosa, 11 bars and three pools. Guests looking for excitement will enjoy the ship's 4-D Cinema and innovative golf and Grand Prix simulators, and those who want to relax can find serenity at Costa’s stunning Samsara Spa.

Cruise-only fares do not include government taxes and fees.